Save your Christmas card stamps and help a good cause

Merlin, representing Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, cuts the ribbon to officially open Cards for Good Causes at St John's Church in Stamford. He is pictured with Denise Taylor from the charity and Beryl Kirtland from Cards for Good Causes ENGEMN00120121019120437

Published:15:47Thursday 17 December 2015

As Christmas cards drop through your postbox, why not think about taking a few seconds to help Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by donating the stamp?

This year the charity raised more than £10,000 from the donation of used postage stamps and local volunteers John and Denise Taylor are keen to add to that this festive season.

The couple regularly volunteer on behalf of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People at the Stamford branch of Cards for Good Causes in St John’s Church so they know just how many Christmas cards bearing seasonal greetings will be flying through the postal system.

Denise said: “We need the used postage stamps from the envelopes. In this year alone, the charity has raised a staggering £10,546.49, just from the donation of used postage stamps.

“This is enough money to train a puppy to transform the life a deaf adult or child.

“It’s a really simple thing that everyone can do, doesn’t cost anything extra, but can make such a difference to a disabled person’s life.

“We are asking individuals, groups, and businesses, to save their used postage stamps for us – and what better time than at Christmas?”

Everyone can get involved, and Denise would like more local businesses to support the appeal by agreeing to save the envelopes they receive with stamps on for her.

She is also able to organise for individuals to receive pre-paid envelopes for them to send their saved stamps direct to the stamp dealer.

Anyone interested in supporting the appeal may contact Denise to discuss it on 01572 767515.

○ Another charity that will benefit from donations of stamps is the Leprosy Mission.

The charity has raised more than £1m over 30 years with its Stamps Save Lives campaign, thanks to donations of stamps and collectibles.

The mission helps three million sufferers in 11 countries across the globe, and the funds it raises saves lives and makes life a great deal better for so many people in the poorest countries of the world.

George Hetherington, who helps organise the stamp collections in Stamford, said: “Donating stamps costs you nothing and at this time of the year people will be receiving more stamped envelopes than normal.

“Why not save the stamps and help boost the total of stamps donated by the people of Stamford? In just over a year we have collected over 56 stone of stamps - a huge quantity.”

Collecting points in Stamford include the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society office in High Street, Trinity Methodist Church in Barn Hill and J&L Ball in North Street. For more contact George on 07891 437914.